★ The general Basileios Pediadites ★

Basileios Pediadites, first half of 11th century. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 10.12 g, 12 h). +[KЄ] R,Θ, TⲰ C[Ⲱ] Δ, - M-X Nimbate facing bust of St. Michael, holding trefoil scepter in his right hand and globe in his left. Rev. R[A]CIΛЄIⲰ TⲰ ΠЄΔIAΔIT, - Θ / RA-CI/ΛI Bust of Saint Basil facing, nimbate, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left. Unpublished in the standard references. Very fine.

From a Swiss collection, formed before 2005.

An important general with the name of Basileios Pediadites is known from seals to have been katepano of Antioch (Cheynet, Société p. 198-200) and katepano of Bulgaria (Cheynet, Kofopoulos 3.62). Both of these seal types have an image of St. Michael on the obverse. The historians Skytlitzes and Kekaumenos mention him as katepano of Sicily, during the reign of Michael IV (1034-1041). The court dignities attested for him indicate he was a eunuch. Although we cannot be certain, it is likely that our seal belongs to the same individual.